Successor to the former top-tier football league in the Philippines, the PFL celebrated its inaugural season in 2017, with Ceres Negros clinching the title.

PFF President Mariano V. Araneta Jr. was presented with the award by AFC Development Committee Chairman Zhang Jian after the 28th AFC Congress in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

“This is an award that will inspire us to improve our league, and our clubs to do better. We hope that the PFL continues for many years to come,” said the PFF President.

The AFC Congress overwhelmingly approved the recognition of the five Asian Regional Associations and ‘welcomed them as partners’ in delivering the AFC’s Vision and Mission in the years ahead.

Also approved was a change in the Statutes which requires candidates for the office of the AFC President to be nominated by at least three Member Associations – but not necessarily by the Member Association they represent.

Speaking at the closing of the 28th AFC Congress, Shaikh Salman told the AFC delegates that the next time they all meet would be for the elections, which will be held on April 6, 2019 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The AFC President said: “As you know our elections are always based on the spirit of fair play. Like in football, the rules and regulations must be respected.

“In Asia and particularly here at the AFC, we have built a positive reputation and image in the last five years. We do not need nor do we want any third party interference or influence in our elections. We need to be strong on this matter.”

The AFC secretariat moved its operations to Kuala Lumpur, the country’s capital, beginning with the Football Association of Malaysia building in 1978, then to the office of the Olympic Council of Malaysia in 1995. On May 13, 1994, the AFC Congress decided that after nearly three decades in Kuala Lumpur, the administration should plant its roots firmly in the Malaysian capital.

Under the leadership of then newly-elected AFC President Sultan Ahmad Shah, the AFC was able secure a promising land site from the Malaysian government in 1997 just 20 minutes south of Kuala Lumpur, in Bukit Jalil, which was being transformed into a thriving metropolis and sports hub in preparation for the XVI Commonwealth Games in 1998.

A building committee was formed expeditiously under the chairmanship of current FIFA Council Member, Tengku Abdullah ibni Sultan Ahmad Shah, to oversee the construction of a three-storey building.

On May 17, 2000, the AFC celebrated a significant milestone in its proud history - the construction was complete, and for the first time, the AFC found a new permanent home – the AFC House.

In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – the home of the AFC Headquarters - Shaikh Salman and Dr Yi Rentao, the Chairman of DDMC Fortis, signed the deal which gives the exclusive rights to DDMC Fortis to market the AFC’s commercial properties for the next two cycles that take place from 2021 – 2028 - starting with the FIFA World Cup 2022 final qualifying round.

The AFC President said: “This is a most significant day in the history of the AFC. With the signing of this contract, the AFC can guarantee its Member Associations that the game in Asia has tremendously solid financial foundations from which to build.

“I am grateful to DDMC Fortis for the confidence and trust that they have shown in the current success and future potential of the Asian Football Confederation. The game in Asia has never been in a better position and we should cherish that.”

Dr. Yi Rentao, Chairman of DDMC Fortis and Wuhan DDMC Culture Co. Ltd said: “We are extremely proud to sign this contract and enter into this significant partnership becoming the first Chinese enterprise to have secured such a comprehensive commercial mandate for a prestigious global football property. We see this partnership as an opportunity for DDMC to carry out the important “Belt and Road” strategy.

“DDMC Fortis was created specifically for the purpose of delivering this prestigious mandate for the AFC. We built the company by combining DDMC, a leading Chinese Sports, Media and Entertainment company, with Fortis Sports, an expert sports marketing agency founded by Patrick Murphy and David Tyler.

“By combining the global market expertise of the two companies we are in the position to take Asian football to the next level and kick-off a golden decade of growth.”

The agreement will confirm DDMC Fortis as the exclusive agency for the AFC during the period 2021-2028 and in turn they will be dedicated entirely to the AFC’s determination to deliver the three AFC Vision statements of being the world’s leading confederation; to produce successful teams and to confirm football as the number one sport in Asia.

In a grand ceremony, the inauguration was also attended by members of the AFC Executive Committee as well as Presidents and General Secretaries from across the AFC's 47 Member Associations.

The expansion, which sees the AFC House increase its footprint by another 200,000 square feet, has been financed through the FIFA Forward fund and will further strengthen the AFC’s ambitions, through its Vision and Mission, to support its Member Associations with greater efficiency.